As California moves closer to construction of its largest reservoir in nearly 50 years, a union’s concerns about an out-of-state company building the water project are adding a late-stage complication. Montana-based Barnard Construction Co. is expected to be named the main contractor for the proposed Sites Reservoir, 70 miles northwest of Sacramento, during a meeting Friday of the agency in charge of the $6 billion enterprise. Powerful labor interests, however, are urging the Sites Project Authority to reconsider its selection. The Nor Cal Carpenters Union, in particular, is arguing that Barnard Construction has not only failed to exclusively employ union workers but also that it doesn’t have the experience, expertise or staffing to handle one of the state’s biggest infrastructure jobs.

Other Sites Reservoir news:

• Action News Now (Chico, Calif.): Video: Delay in water right permit will increase costs for Sites Reservoir